Another thing that can be unlocked using reputation points are origin stories for six of the main superheroes. My excitement for these alternative storylines was quickly dashed when I found out they were simply snippets of the particular hero's key moments from their past, which you help along with nouns and adjectives. Each origin story can be completed in less than two minutes. They’re not really much value for the reputation points required to unlock them.

Reputation can also be used to purchase costumes. These are more than mere superficial makeovers, though, as they grant you many abilities of the respective superhero. It actually ends up lightening the already relaxed difficulty. I mean, why run around Metropolis on foot when for a mere couple hundred reputation points you can don Superman's tights, granting you the ability to fly, use heat vision, frost breath, and super strength, with increased health, damage, and speed.

One thing that 5th Cell did incredibly well with Scribblenauts Unmasked is pay tribute to the source material. You can easily spend hours on the Batcomputer (essentially the game's Wikipedia) and find even the most obscure DC characters. From Abyssma to Zum, you'll have a hard time trying to stump the system with your comic book chops. And though the graphics are simple in design, each character is given an accurate replication in the game. Even multiple versions of a particular individual are customized appropriately. There are over thirty different Batmans to choose from!

If you'd rather piece together your own superhero, that can easily be done at the Bat Cave by talking to Alfred. Any character with any object and tons of customizable physics can be created. Superpowers, however, must be unlocked using reputation points. These creations can then be uploaded and shared online, but sadly, this is the only multiplayer feature of the game.

Overall, Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure does exactly what you'd expect from the merger. Your creativity is near boundless, and the comic book backdrop gives the game a cinematic quality. Unfortunately, none of your creations can be put to worthwhile use when the mission challenges take only a minute or less to complete. The stages themselves aren't large or interactive enough to allow your handiwork to shine. It's a cute interpretation with the most DC lore I've seen in a game, but the gameplay is just lacking in too many respects to keep you interested.

BySean Engemann
Contributing Writer
Date: September 25, 2013

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.4

GraphicsIt's a simple and colorful art style, but with well executed personalized touches for each superhero and villain. I wish there were more of each stage to enjoy.

3.1

ControlCombat is too simple and movement is clumsy. Navigating the menus, however, is quick and easy.

3.4

Music / Sound FX / Voice ActingEach stage incorporate a score that mimics its big screen soundtracks. They are epic orchestrations, but far too short. There is also no voice acting apart from the opening narration.

2.7

Play ValueThe campaign is over too quickly thanks to a watered-down difficulty, and the game doesn't allow your imagination to flourish.

3.2

Overall Rating - FairNot an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Extensive Replayability--dynamically created puzzles called Heroic Feats increase the game's replayability by continuously generating original scenarios requiring different solutions with each visit.

Super Hero Creator--On Wii U and PC, players can create their own Superhero or Super Villain using any item from the DC Universe and then setting properties for how it behaves, changing its appearance and powers. Players can then share their creations with the community and download others.

Deep DC Comics Object Database--Players wanting help can reference The Batcomputer, an in-game encyclopedia that lists the names and descriptions of objects from the DC Comics Universe.

Sidekick Mode - Friends and family can drop in using a Wii Remote and take control of any object in game.